Antisocial Personality Disorder is a mental health issue that prevents the sufferer from adequately relating to other people. Individuals with ADP are sometimes referred to as uncaring, mean, or manipulative, and their disorder prevents them from considering the thoughts, feelings or autonomy of other individuals. Additionally, suffers can have a warped sense of morality and an indifference towards common societal conventions of right and wrong. Because of these traits, those with Antisocial Personality Disorder often run into problems with the law, school, and work, and tend to have dysfunctional relationships with peers and family members.
Symptoms
Sufferers of Antisocial Personality Disorder are often narcissistic and self-absorbed, and have a tendency to be manipulative of others. They see no problem with lying to or frightening others in order to get what they want. Individuals with ASPD have poor impulse control, especially in regards to violent and combative behaviors, which can often lead to arrest and imprisonment. There is a strong correlation between this disorder and severe childhood abuse and/or neglect. They generally have little to no contact with family members, and have very few friends. Those afflicted with ASPD do not possess the ability to learn from the consequences of their behaviors, and are doomed to repeat these actions again and again despite their consequences.
The beginnings of Antisocial Personality Disorder generally begin to manifest themselves in childhood, and become apparent through cruelty to animals, people, and other violent actions. These traits are firmly rooted by the time the individual reaches adulthood, and there is no known cure for this disorder.
Antisocial Personality Disorder often occurs along to other mental health problems, including drug and alcohol abuse.
Treatment of Antisocial Personality Disorder and Substance Abuse
One of the biggest barriers between those affected and treatment is even getting them to recognize that there is a problem. By definition, those with ASPD refuse to acknowledge that their behavior is abnormal, let alone seek help for its treatment. When combined with substance abuse, ASPD can make treatment for substance abuse incredibly frustrating if the professional treating them does not have a thorough understanding of addiction and Antisocial Personality Disorder.
Our clinical staff at Northbound Treatment Center specializes in helping individuals with dual diagnoses recover, especially those with ASPD. We craft a unique treatment model for each of our clients, and include therapeutic strategies most effective for those with this disorder. This gives our clients the highest chances of recovery from both substance abuse and their mental health issues.
The psychotherapy provided to our clients is extremely effective in getting through to the individual with Antisocial Personality Disorder, and designed to help them fully understand their disorder and addiction. With cases like these, counseling sessions including family members and loved ones can be very beneficial, not only for the sufferer, but to help those affected develop an understanding of their loved one.
Treatment of ASPD and substance abuse can be very challenging, but the experienced professional at Northbound have been thoroughly educated in combating this combination of disorders. If your loved one is experiencing Antisocial Personality Disorder and alcohol or drug addiction, then please contact an addiction treatment center today. Although the path to change can be slow and discouraging, recovery is possible with professional help.
